The Atlanta constitution. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1885-19??, 1887-11-29
THE CRAZY SCOUT.
by w. L. Hawley.
For TIE CONSTITUTION.

constantly on the lookout to avoid surprises.
The picket lines of Bragg's army extended
several miles, in order to watch the different
roads leading to Chattanooga
North of Stevenson was a range of mountains
known as Walden's ridge, which was
covered with dense growth Of oak
and hickory. The country was sparsely
settled, there were few roads, or even path
ways and the heavily wooded rayines and
hillsides were wild and rugged in the extreme.
There were caves, waterfalls, wild game in
abundance, and everything pertaining to a
country remote from civilization.
TO stand all night on picket duty in some
lonely ravime, where there was no sound save
the babbling Of mountain rivulets, or the
weird signing of the winds among the trees,
was anything but pleasant.
My company was among those detailed for
this duty, and the first night we were sta
toned in dark, gloomy ravine at the foot of
Waldens ridge One of the picket posts was
under a large oak tree at the very dark
est, NEST uninteresting spot on the entire line.
We went on duty at 8 o'clock at night
and there would be no relief until tx o'clock
the next morning. A young man, brave and
watchful and genesal favorite in the compa-
N.Y. was assigned to the post under the giant
oak. The night passed without incident, but
when we were relieved next morning Private
Thompson, the young tuan stationed under
the tree was missing. His gun was broken
and lying near the tree and there were indca-
lions that q brief struggle had taken place, but
nothing moro to tell his fate. There were no
blood stainsand his disappearance was mys-
terry. Nothing else was talked OF during the
day. by the members of the company and
there was-great anxiety to learn the fate Of the
brave young soldier.
The second night Private Baugh was assigned
to the post under the tree He laughed at the
| IA 4. &c. IL
slightly, and it was apparent that he would
have preferred some other place in the line
| Again the night passed without any demonstra-
| ton in our front, but when we were relieved
| the face of every man in the company turned
| a shade paler when it was known that Baugh
had also disappeared, leaving his gun behind,
| Here was q genuine mystery, and it attracted
! the attention of the officers of the regi-
ment. A squad was detailed to ex-
anime the locality, by daylight, but
/ GERS decided that the mystery would not occur
| again, and the picket limo was formed for the
| third night When the relief came on the
| third morning the man under the oak was
| again missing, and his gun lying broken on
| the ground. What was to be done? Tho
mystery must be solved in some way.
Sergeant Brown volunteered to take the
dreaded post, on the fourth night
terry. He was tall well formed man, a giant
in strength and n stranger to fear. Promptly
at O'Clock that night he took his posi-
| ton under the old oak whose
branches seemed to hang lower, as though they
would envelop the spot ~ still deeper mystery.
| The men and officers of the company felt con-
! fident Of Sergeant Browns ability to penetrate
the mystery which had cost us us three good
men, and were eager for morning to dawn.
| AT last the relief came and every mans face
| banched when it was learned that Sergeant
Brown had disappeared. His gun was there
| bent and broken, and there were signs of o
desperate struggle between two or moro men,
| but nothing to tell the story of his fate.
Bushwhackers, federal scouts, wild animals,
| everything was suggested which was believed
| possible TO account for the disappearance Of the
! four men. The matter soon became the one
| topic of conversation in the entire army and by
| the officers of our regiment ii was reported to
General Bragg. lie ordered that five or more
men be stationed at this post with instructions
| TO remain perfectly quiet, keep careful look
ont and discover, if possible, tho fate of the
| absent men.
i was one Of the five detailed by our captain
for the duty. We stationed ourselves
| in small circle within the
shadow Of the oak and stood like SO many
! statues during the long night Once we heard
| n noise like some man or beast creeping
through the dense underground towards us.
The noise stopped suddenly, moment later it
was heard receding, and that was all. When
we were relieved tho next morning tho mys-
| terry was as great as ever. The captain Or
and we then agreed upon different plan. One
man was stationed on the post, three OF us
climbed up among the lower branches
| of the big oak tree, while
| the fifth man was stationed behind ,clump
OF bushes twenty yards away. 1t was a bright
starlight night and moving objects could be
discerned at distance Of several PAGES.
Not p sound broke the stiffness until near
midnight when myself and companions in the
| tree distinctly heard the sound Of something
moving stealthily towards the man standing
| beneath us. Once we caught a glimpse OF q
giant form moving slowly forward with almost
| noseless tread
tho noise as he remained motion
less. When within ten feet OF
the man under the tree, the mysterious being
suddenly sprang forward with the agility OF a
| cat and our comrade was borne to the ground
in an instant. Our first thought was TO leap To
tho ground and rescue him, but we determined
TO await developments in the hope Of learning
the fate Of the three missing men.
The mysterious being was man, or rather
giant roughly clad and wearing long, un-
kempt beard and hair. He seemed TO be I'M
armed save his enormous strength but with q
cord our comrade was bound and gagged
before no could mako an out
cry, The giant who had uttered no
word, then gave a grunt Of satisfaction and
lifting the helpless soldier to his. shoulder
started away at rapid pace Dropping 10 tho
ground, we were joined by the other member
Of Our squad, and the FOUR OF US started IN pur-
suit of tho mysterious stranger. Half mile
up the side OF the mountain the giant stopped,
pushed aside a small clump Of bushes and en-
tored q cave. We soon followed cautiously,
for as yet he had not discovered that we were
following him. Along a narrow pass
feet we walked In complete darkness
when, turning suddenly TO the left we found
ourselves at the door Of large rock chamber
lighted by a single tallow candle. On the
Iur nd las ,,fsr
missing companions while their captor stood
near the light rubbing his hands, his face dis
tortcd with a horrible grin Of satisfaction. He
discovered US at the same instant that we
covered him with our muekets and for several
moments VIC stood without uttering a word
| Ono l o0k at the wild bloodshot
eyes Of our captive told us
| that he was o maniac and we determined not
| 20 harm him. He made no move, and while
three Of US kept him covered with our guns,